Jan 19, 2014 article: next 370Z
 

This article is on the AUTOCAR UK site today.

Smaller Nissan Z car planned

Nissan officials plan a new Z car, although it will be smaller than the current offering and will use turbo power


New, smaller Nissan Z car planned
Nissan's IDx concept has also been confirmed for production
Richard Bremner


by Richard Bremner

19 January 2014 6:04am


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Nissan’s next Z car "could be smaller", says design boss Shiro Nakamura, and will be powered by a downsized four-cylinder turbocharged engine, according to product chief Andy Palmer.

It will also be a car of slightly different character to the current model and its predecessor, says Nakamura, because "we can’t do the same thing three times".

But although "a new Z will happen", says Palmer, its design has yet to be decided. Palmer also confirms that there will be "a normal version, and a Nismo", Nissan is keen to develop its performance sub-brand as part of its re-orientation as the sportier manufacturer that it has been in previous eras.

Palmer also confirms that there will be a new GT-R, that its "brutal appearance will remain", and that there will be a hybrid version.

"We’ve registered Race Hybrid, or R-Hybrid," he says. The new GT-R and Z car will be joined by a showroom version of Nissan’s radical, narrow front-tracked Bladeglider, derived from its Deltawing race car. The BladeGlider is part of the company’s five year product plan cycle, and should appear within that timeframe. Also confirmed for the showroom is the IDx concept inspired by Japanese performance coupes of the ‘60s and ‘70s, this concept hugely liked by visitors to the recent Tokyo show where it made its debut.

Both this car and the Bladeglider are all about “re-igniting interest in the young”, says Palmer; the lack of interest shown by Japanese, European and American youth in cars is concerning the company.

Read more Detroit motor show news.

No shock really. Smaller boosted motors are very much in force now. The GT-R itself maintains supercar performance with a smaller boosted motor, compared to other 'supercars'.

:yawn: let's see some real progress, nissan :shakes head:

Thanks for sharing.

what did you expect, GT-R performance in a Z package? :rolleyes: nissan would never raise the Z up to that level as it would hurt the sales of the GT-R...i for one am glad they are starting to get back into the swing of things with always being the more sporty car company out of the big three out of Japan...i mean c'mon they (Nissan) are doubling the amount of performance oriented cars within the next 5 years, what else do you want?!

2 options
 

I hope they offer two drive-trains.

A V6 with a bump in HP to 350-360 ,maybe using 3.5L turbo'd, and a Nismo version turbo'd that puts out 365-375.

And then a four cylinder drive-train (2.0-2.5) turbo'd version and produces 235hp with a Nismo version that puts out 245-250.

I might be hoping for too much but it gives everyone a choice if they want a killer V6 like we have now, or a lighter more nimble and more economical sports car that will kill the competition in the segment.

IMO, they're now chasing the power/weight ratio to try to get more gas milage as well as keep costs down.

Turbo fours are making serious power these days- check the engine in the CLA45 AMG, for instance.

I would rather see the Z car adapt, sell, and stay in the production line than watch Nissan chase a ghost who's ship sailed a long time ago.

Adapt, innovate and succeed!

Yeah, if Nissan could get a 2.0L turbo to produce 355hp (even 330hp) that does sub 5.0 sec 0-60 and gets 23-31 mpg like the AMG CLA45 I'd be ok with moving away from the V6.

Oh and I almost forgot... AND stay under 30K. If Nissan goal is to compete with the Toyoburu twins then they need to be closer to 26-27k range for the base model.

Infinit,already getting the 2.0 turbocharged engines from Mercedes Benz,Nissan can also get the A45 engine.

Just another opinionated article. My next car will be a AWD Porsche anyways.

+1, im sick of all these no-name speculators spewing out fake info

I'll only believe it when I see it, or the CEO / some japanese engineer from nissan comes out and says "Look people calm down, the mustang 5.0 is a speed bump in the Z35's wake"

The four cylinder might be better on gas but they might down size the power to keep the price down I think

I still think it will be a 2.4 turbo, called the 240Z and my speculation is 280-300 hp. But its pure speculation on my part.

All the article means to me is Nissan needs to get their head out of their a$$. If they want to compete with the Toyobaru twins then they need to bring back the Silvia. The Z should be competing/cross shopped with the Mustang, Camaro, etc.

Here's a thought Nissan, GTR engine minus boost and maybe a different crank/piston setup (maximized for NA). Plus for enthusiasts it makes going the boosted route a lot easier. Also leave out all the fancy electronics and transmission that make the GTR so f-ing expensive.

the iDX is already going to fill that niche of toyobaru competitor

My thoughts exactly, whatever direction they go the BRZ/FRS competitor won't be it.

All I care about is lightish, good power to weight ratio, great handling, same or better fit & finish, great looks and a starting price < $35,000! :yum: Is that too much to ask?!

Edit: Oh yeah, one to two inches more head room for we tall/long torso folks!

Edit two: Just want to state for the record that I am perfectly happy with my 370!!

Whatever the next generation Z will be, it better come out quick, because after 5 years its about damn time for a new Z.

Please no 4 cylinder. I'll take a lower displacement v6 w/ boost any day, but I will NOT take a 4 cylinder w/ boost.

Also, I'd be very happy w/ 400HP V6 NA too, but that's probably asking for too much.

edit: 400 crank not wheel.

if MB can make 360hp, 330 trq with a turbo 2.0, then Nissan should be able to make a turbo 2-2.5 with equal or more power. Drop that into a sub 3k lb car, make it look sexy, and I'll be in

didnt somebody mention a while back that Nissan had filed a patent on a 2.5L turbo engine recently?

The Merc engine runs 26 pounds of boost. It's a technological marvel. While I think there's a lot Nissan can do when it comes to engineering, their hands will ultimately be tied by the cost of producing such an engine.

Of course, this is where the Nissan/Merc partnership comes into play- hopefully they'll both be able to save a bit of money as Nissan moves back into a FI powered fleet.

:ugh: huh?

wat i mean was let's see some actual progress, not blah blah blah blah, oh we will be introducing the new z at tokyo auto show blah blah blah or not. here, chew on this IDX for a few more months or a year or so... blah blah blah :yawn:

like some dumbarse salesman.. blah blah blah blah blah...

I get u now... Nissan been spending the last 2 years talking bout what they're going to do but showing very little....

yah, want to see a concept and some specs/trim levels, etc.

:iagree: Except it's a little troubling when Nissan's product chief says "its design has yet to be decided"; based on that comment, I bet we're at least two model years away from the new Z's introduction.

yeah, seems like it's quite some time away still

Hopefully the IDx fills the smaller, sporty segment to compete with the Toybaru twins and other up-comers. I'll have to wait until I see the end specs and styling, but I think they'll do just fine in the sub 20-25k sporty segment.

That would leave the Z to be more or less where it was in 2009 when it came out: Cross-shopped with the muscle cars (Mustang, Camaro) and even the sporty cars (Boxster). It surprisingly competed just fine with both groups in 2009. Not sure they can do so today, but that should still be the goal, yes?

I really hope they keep it in that area, where you have some power, you have the sporty handling, and at a price point between those two major groups. It's a really good sweet spot for a low production vehicle that probably couldn't compete directly with either side straight-up. And you throw in two trump cards: sexy looks and at least a really good interior.

I know, preachin' to the choir, but the 370z has been nicely placed thus far. It would be a shame if they mess with that too much.

If there's room for movement, I would say you move the 370Z upwards a bit and make sure it's a Corvette-alternative (surely not as powerful, but as a driver's car, make it a target) and continues to dance at Porsche's heels. It's not like it's going to suddenly get near GTR cost or performance such that it will steal sales. While the 370Z is a baby Godzilla, it's not anywhere close to growing into one. And that's fine. :)

Bruce,
I agree 100%. Turbo powered 2.5 liter with a great chassis under 3k lbs.
Make it look 1/2 as good as the Toyota ft-1 concept.

I will be disappointed if they do not offer a six.
Go ahead and make a 4, but offer a six in a NISMO type package.
250Z TT and 390Z NISMO
:ugh2:

^^ +1000

I wish Nissan can produce a V6 Z in limited numbers just to keep us happy. A 4 cylinder Z does not sit well with me, regardless of how light the car is going to be.

The 2.5 four cylinder makes the most sense. Nissan already has the qr25det in the juke. Maybe they were using that to test the engine and then tweek it alittle for the next Z.

If they do keep a v6 option, I really doubt it'd be a new engine. The focus is on smaller turbo engines now so a v6 would likely be the same engine we have now with DI if you're lucky paired with the car's reduced weight for better performance.

At this point I don't really care what the engine is going to be. Just give us a concept car Nissan!

Jalopnik posted something similar today.

Nissan Is Probably Cooking Up A New Turbo Z

Just wanted to remind everyone I get 13-15 mpg city. That's worse than a v8.

Thanks for sharing. 4 sports cars, huh? We'll see, Nissan. That Z32 photo is so iconic.

From the Jalopnik article link (emphasis added by me):

:( Sigh...